Name: April
Discussion Board: Has Police Gone Too Far?
Recently, the community has witnessed large discussions regarding the police services
or the functions assigned to the police officers. Hundreds of such experts, including Alex
Vitale, stress that police must perform tasks that other individuals can effectively provide.
This perspective brings about certain conversation issues for teaching, namely, where and
how police work well or even if police should be applied at all. Here are three examples of
situations where we should consider alternative approaches:
Mental Health Crises:
Cops mark an important figure as they are often deployed to discharges that deal with
mental health issues. Many may work in the law enforcement department, in emergency
services or in disaster recovery teams; however, they only sometimes receive the training
they require to calmly and gently address such circumstances. As illustrated, the involvement
of the police may worsen the situation or result in a tipping point, hence the tragedy.
However, others stated that mental health workers, including crisis intervention teams or the
mobile crisis units, could provide this. These professionals are specifically educated to
manage psychotic episodes and refer people who need mental health assistance to related
services, thus precluding improper use of force and ensuring the best results in crises.
Homelessness:
Therefore, the problem of homelessness is multifaceted and needs efficient and
sensitive approaches. Police are sometimes required to intervene in matters concerning
homelessness; the person might be charged with loitering or causing a disturbance.
Nevertheless, criminalization of homelessness does not solve the problem's causes but leads
to arrest and incarceration. However, such people require social workers and outreach teams
who carry materials that will assist the affected individuals to get a stable place to live, health
checkups, and other social services. While providing services and assistance to homeless
persons, this approach simultaneously seeks ways to prevent homelessness.
School Discipline:
There has been an issue concerning the police presence in schools, particularly among
school resource officers (SROS). Concerning internal security, the participation of police in
the management of disciplinary issues in school fosters criminalization of minor misconducts
and a biased implication of most students of colour. School teachers or trained school
psychologists must be better positioned to address discipline cases and counsel students.
These measures include introducing restorative justice practices and prioritizing conflict
resolution strategies to enhance school safety while shifting away from the police's
involvement in student management.
